A new diagnostic labeled spine tool is disclosed for use in immunoassay techniques, e.g., determination of a component of the antigen-antibody reaction. The new tool is a labeled-spine material product of the formula ##STR1## where R is an organic group labeled with a radioisotope, fluorescent group, lysis-initiating compound, enzyme, or other suitable marker material; T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are any of --CH.sub.3, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 OH, --Ch.sub.2 SH, and --NH.sub.2 ; X is selected from the group consisting of (CH.sub.2).sub.m, where m is an integer from 0 to about 10, phenylene, hydroxyl-substituted phenylene, halogen-substituted phenylene, alkyl substituted phenylene or aminated phenylene groups; A is 0, 1 or 2; B is 2-a, with the proviso that there be at least two R groups in the product; and N is a number from 1 to about 100,000 The new tool provides higher specific activity for labeled substances thus facilitating determination of the desired compound. Preferably R is an enzyme, a is one, and X is of the formula (CH.sub.2).sub.m, where m is from 2 to 5.
Conjugates of heavy atoms containing analytes or their analogs and fluorescent molecules are covalently bonded to macromolecular supports to minimize the interference of fluorescence during assays, due to non-specific binding of serum proteins to the conjugate.
An improved method is disclosed for assaying peroxidase or peroxide activity utilizing a substrate solution containing a fluorogenic phenolic compound, hydrogen peroxide and a metal chelating compound. The improvement inclosed including within the assay, in an amount sufficient to enhance the effective working range of the assay, a boron acid or salt thereof, or a phosphine-based or hydride-based reducing agent.
Pharmaceutical compositions are described for anti-allergy therapy comprising an allergen or allergen extract, polysarcosine having an average molecular weight in the range of 2,000 to 12,000 and a chemical linking group connecting a reactive site on the polysarcosine to an amino group on the allergen or allergen extract, the reactive site on the polysarcosine being a H(CH.sub.3)N--, the allergen extract being an extract from an allergen selected from pollens, weeds, house dust mites and venoms, and the chemical linking group having the formula --CO--B--CO where B is a hydrocarbon chain of 1-4 carbon atoms. The disclosure also describes the analogous conjugates.
Conjugates of heavy atoms containing analytes or their analogs and fluorescent molecules are covalently bonded to macromolecular supports to minimize the interference of fluorescence during assays, due to non-specific binding of serum proteins to the conjugate.
Bifunctional aromatic compounds are employed as rigid coupling compounds for coupling one organic compound to another. For example, paranitrophenylisocyanate may be employed as a coupling compound for coupling thyroxine to a fluorescent dye to form a tracer for use in an assay.
